Aug 20, 2019 — IRELAND (SUN) —
In previous papers on the subject of the seven coverings of the universe, we cited from several Puranas including Srimad Bhagavatam to show that water is the first of seven layers surrounding the universe, and not earth as is commonly supposed. (See here and here.
Another way to understand that the seven coverings of the universe begin with water (not earth) is to look at the Puranas description of the process of universal destruction. In the passages describing the layah prakrtika (complete dissolution of the universe), it is repeatedly explained that the universe gets dissolved into water (the first covering), and then water into fire, etc. We shall look at several of these statements later.
Why is the question of the seven coverings of the universe an issue? In 1976 Srila Prabhupada wrote a letter to Mr S.L. Dhani regarding the Temple of Vedic Planetarium:
"The plans for this very large project are being taken solely from the references found in the fifth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, and its authoritative commentaries by important acharyas along with the other Puranas and Samhitas like Brahma-samhita, etc." (Letter to SL Dhani, November 14, 1976)
In the above mentioned letter, Srila Prabhupada composed a list of 15 features of Vedic cosmology that he specifically wanted depicted at the Temple of Vedic Planetarium; number 10 on the list was 'the seven coverings of the universe'. Since the seven coverings of the universe are to be depicted at the TOVP, its obviously important that they are listed correctly and presented in proper sequence.
First let us repeat the sequence of the universe's seven coverings as they are enumerated in all of the other Puranas:
The incomparable golden cosmic egg was born from it. The cosmic egg was enveloped by the waters; the waters by fire; the fire by the wind; the wind by the ether; the ether by the cosmic Ego; that Ego by the cosmic intellect (Mahat) and the intellect by the unmanifest (avyakta)." (Vayu Purana 1.44.45)
Again:
"The Anda of the cosmic egg is encircled by water, fire, wind, and ether. It is then encircled by Mahat (The great principle) and Pradhana (the mula prakrti)." (Garuda Purana 1.57.9)
Again:
"The cosmic egg is externally enveloped by water ten times its magnitude." The water is externally enveloped by fire ten times its mass. The fire is externally enveloped by air ten times its mass. The air is externally enveloped by the ether ten times its magnitude. The ether is enveloped by ego the cause of sound. The ego is enveloped by intellect and intellect is enveloped by Pradhana. They say that the coverings of the cosmic egg are seven. There within is Brahma seated on the lotus. There are crores and crores of such eggs in existence." (The Linga Purana 3.30-33)
In all of these examples, (as well as the numerous examples from the other Puranas that we cited in the previous articles), the first layer of seven coverings surrounding the universal egg is stated to be water, not earth. This list confirms the statement given in Srimad Bhagavatam by Lord Kalipa, that water (toya-adibhih) is the first of seven layers that form the universal shell:
"This universal egg, or the universe in the shape of an egg, is called the manifestation of material energy. Its layers of water, air, fire, sky, ego and mahat-tattva increase in thickness one after another. Each layer is ten times bigger than the previous one, and the final outside layer is covered by pradhana. Within this egg is the universal form of Lord Hari, of whose body the fourteen planetary systems are parts. (SB 3.26.52)
Purport: This universe, or the universal sky which we can visualize with its innumerable planets, is shaped just like an egg. As an egg is covered by a shell, the universe is also covered by various layers. The first layer is water, the next is fire, then air, then sky, and the ultimate holding crust is pradhana."
The above list and sequence of the seven coverings (beginning with water) is confirmed by comparing the description of the process of the dissolution of the universe in which one element is merged into another until they finally reach the state of Pradhana (the unmanifest state). In this process, the universe—which is representative of the Earth element—is merged in the first covering of the universe which is water. The Brahma Purana states:
"…All of them get merged among themselves in the reverse order. Similarly, this Cosmic egg gets merged in water by which it has been enveloped. (The Cosmic egg) consisting of seven worlds along with the mountains, the seven continents and oceans is enveloped by water and is drunk (i.e. destroyed) by the fiery element. The Jyoti or fiery layer merges into the gaseous layer; the gaseous layer merges into the Ether; the Bhutadi or Ego consumes the Ether and the Great Principle or Cosmic Intellect consumes it. O Brahmins, the Prakrti (Nature) consumes the Cosmic Intellect accompanied by all these. O excellent Brahmins, that entity wherein there is the equilibrium of all the attributes (gunas), none of them being enlarged or rendered deficient is called Prakrti (Nature), Hetu (cause) Pradhana (the Chief) and Param Karanam (greatest cause)." (Brahma Purana 125.30-34)
Here the earth element is represented by the universe itself which is surrounded by the seven coverings (1) water (2) fire (3) air (4) ether (5) ego (6) Mahat (the great principle), sometimes translated as Intellect (7) Pradhana otherwise called Prakriti, Unmanifest, etc. Notice that the verse describes the universe merging into the water element that envelopes or surrounds the universe; and does not describe it as merging into an earth element. None of the Puranas ever state that the universe is surrounded by a layer of Earth; nor in the description of the process of the dissolution of the universe, is the universe ever described as merging into earth. The universe always merges into the water element which is the first covering of the universe.
"The egg of Brahma is dissolved in the waters that surround it, with its seven zones, seven oceans, seven regions, and their mountains. The investure of water is drunk up by fire: the stratum of fire is absorbed by that of air: air blends itself with ether: the primary element of egotism devours the ether, and is itself taken up by intellect, which, along with all these, is seized upon by nature (Prakriti)." (Vishnu Purana, Book 6, chapter 4)
Again:
"The Anda (cosmic egg) by which everything is enveloped gets merged in water. The seven continents, seven oceans, seven worlds along with the mountains—everything having water for its covering gets merged in Jyotis (the fire element). The Taijasa (fiery) covering gets merged in Maruta (Wind), the Vayava (gaseous) covering gets merged in Akasha (Ether). The covering of the sky merges with Bhutadi (Cosmic Ego). The Mahat (Great Principle), the characteristic feature of which is the intellect, swallows Bhutadi (the source of Bhutas). The unmanifest one swallows Mahat" (Brahmanda Purana, 3.4.2 293-297)
Canto 12, chapter 4 of the Srimad Bhagavatam describes the four different types of annihilation or destruction. The complete dissolution of the universe is described in the passage below which again confirms that the universe egg is dissolved in water, not earth:
"When the two halves of the lifetime of Lord Brahma, the most elevated created being, are complete, the seven basic elements of creation are annihilated. O King, upon the annihilation of the material elements, the universal egg, comprising the elemental amalgamation of creation, is confronted with destruction. (SB12.4.56)
…At that time, the shell of the universe will fill up with water, forming a single cosmic ocean. As the entire universe is flooded, the water will rob the earth of its unique quality of fragrance, and the element earth, deprived of its distinguishing quality, will be dissolved. The element fire then seizes the taste from the element water, which, deprived of its unique quality, taste, merges into fire. Air seizes the form inherent in fire, and then fire, deprived of form, merges into air. The element ether seizes the quality of air, namely touch, and that air enters into ether. Then, O King, false ego in ignorance seizes sound, the quality of ether, after which ether merges into false ego. False ego in the mode of passion takes hold of the senses, and false ego in the mode of goodness absorbs the demigods. Then the total mahat-tattva seizes false ego along with its various functions, and that mahat is seized by the three basic modes of nature—goodness, passion and ignorance. My dear King Pariksit, these modes are further overtaken by the original unmanifest form of nature, impelled by time. That unmanifest nature is not subject to the six kinds of transformation caused by the influence of time. Rather, it has no beginning and no end. It is the unmanifest, eternal, and infallible cause of creation…This is the annihilation called prakrtika, during which the energies belonging to the Supreme Person and His unmanifest material nature, disassembled by the force of time, are deprived of their potencies and merge together totally." (SB 12.4.12-22)
Here we can see that the universe itself represents the earth element, which is then dissolved in water (the first layer of the universe). It is not that the universe merges into an earth element as is commonly supposed. We can also count that there are seven elements surrounding the universe (1) apam—water (2) tejah—fire (3) vayoh—air (4) kham—ether (5) bhutadi—ego (6) mahat (7) avyakrtam—the unmanifest or Pradhana. If the earth element was included as the first of the seven layers of the universe, then one or other of the seven elements listed above would necessarily have to be left out. Since all of these elements have their unique function in the creation, to leave any one of them out would be equivalent to leaving out an arm or a leg when counting or describing the various limbs on a human body.
We hope this clarifies the matter. If we have any mistake in the above presentation, please feel free to discuss further; otherwise, we request the devotees to please produce diagrams and deliver lectures that accurately follow the Puranas description of the Universe being surrounded by seven layers beginning with water, (not earth).
